The delayed Highway 12 construction project was resuscitated Friday with a new contractor pledging to get the job done on time.

The company insuring the project selected Hoffman Construction of Black River Falls Friday to replace Racine contractor James Cape & Sons, which went out of business this year, leaving the $126 million project's completion in doubt.

"We're obviously very happy to hear that," said Bill Acker, who lives along the highway and has been staring at piles of dirt in his front yard.

Most of the northern portion of the four lane expansion project is complete from Highway 19 west to the Wisconsin River in Sauk City. The uncompleted portion represents about $13 million in costs and is from University Avenue in Middleton to Highway 19 west in the town of Springfield. The state Department of Transportation wants it done by mid- November.

"I'm betting on it," said James Hoffman, who was named president of the 78- year-old family-owned company last week. "I feel confident that the team we have and our subcontractors are all very capable of completing the work on time."

Not everyone is eager for construction to resume. Carol Manley, a department manager at The Bruce Co., 2830 W. Beltline in Middleton, said roadwork near the lawn and garden center will disrupt business during peak season. The finished highway will divert traffic away from the store.

"We feel like this lull is good for us," she said.

Hoffman wouldn't disclose the price he reached with the Federal Insurance Co., which will pick up any difference in the cost of completing the project instead of the state, according to DOT officials.

One of the first deadlines for Hoffman is July 1. That's when the DOT wants the University Avenue and Airport Road interchanges open to traffic. Hoffman said his crews, which will include many of the same subcontractors used by Cape, will begin moving equipment to the area on Monday and be ready to work later in the week.

"They're an outstanding company. They're great to work for," said Ryan Oehlhof of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139.

Hoffman is familiar with the project because it was one of the original bidders. The company last year worked on Highway 113 in Waunakee and on Highway 151 near Dickeyville. It also is one of the most-used contractors by the state DOT.

Hoffman employs 380 people and works on about 30 projects a year ranging in cost from $500,000 to $20 million in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Hoffman said.

The company grew from $25 million in revenue in 1984 to more than $150 million in 2004, according to its Web site.

Contact Barry Adams at badams@madison.com or 252- 6148.